BRC Sales Monitor reported very subdued sales in November with like-for-like increases of only 1.2% compared with November 2006 and 1.8% uplift in sales for the 3 months to November when compared with the previous year. Discussions with members indicate that Christmas trading to date has been generally disappointing and the ‘rush’ is still awaited. It is reported that large retailers are to ask the Government to extend opening by four hours on the last Sunday prior to Christmas, in an attempt to overcome the current poor trading situation. There is concern that most people will be travelling or concentrating on food shopping on Christmas Eve.

ASOS, the on-line fashion retailer has reported phenomenal sales in recent weeks and this reflects the continuing boom in internet sales generally, where sales are anticipated to reach £15bn for the Xmas quarter, up 60% on 2006. John Lewis was also bucking the trend reporting a 7% uplift in sales for the third week in November to £71m.

On the downside Moss Bros issued a profit warning after losing £800k in the first half of the year, it reported total sales falling 3.7% in the last 18 weeks. Sofa specialist ScS also reported like for like sales down 16% in a recent trading update.

Tesco has launched the first 15 stores of its new Fresh & Easy concept on the US west coast to great acclaim and plans to increase the number to 200 by February 2009.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Barkingside does not need the pedestrion crossing moved 15 yards outside Somerfields, it does not need the boundary for craven car park moved to give a bigger pavement outside the carpark when it was moved 5 years ago what is this all about.? we as a Partnership have been trying to improve the High Street and when you have schemes that do not improve parking in the Street but seem to annoy our potential customers with the rents increasing due to unlicense premises paying over the top rents which effect the whole high street and the Council allowing them to trade. Come on people wake up, our local councillors seem more content in arguing amongst themselves than supporting the high street and unless we make our achievments so far into a legacy for barkingside we will be defeated by red tape and personal goals.

So why this debate is going on lets not forget our local councillors who have been elected by our local community, in all our aims i have not heard one of them speak up for Barkingside they seem more interested in what is happening in there own backsides.

Barkingside can be a example to other high Street we have the profile and we are not going away .

Monday, December 17, 2007

For 70% a local high street is a vital part of a healthy society. It provides a mix of local identity, social cohesion plus a practical local resource.

Shopping Space

Despite the expansion of out of town alternatives, 60% think the high street should be somewhere they can do the bulk of their shopping. Half see it in equally practical terms as somewhere to go for specific things or as an ad hoc shopping place.

Meeting Place

Practicalities aside, the social role of the high street is still very important for large groups of people right across the economic and social divide. Almost two thirds (63%) feel a high street should be a place to meet people. Over half (54%) say it should be a place where the elderly can socialise or where the young can shop and meet friends safely (56%)

The function of a high street becomes even more important among the young themselves, with two thirds (66%) of younger adults studied seeing the high street’s role as a safe shopping and meeting place for the younger people.

Practicalities aside, the social role of the high street is still very important for large groups of people right across the economic and social divide

Saturday, December 1, 2007

Due to problems with the paved area outside the swimming pool the Christmas market is to be relocated to Fairlop car park in Craven Gardens. We are still good for the 13th to the 16th of December. We hope to see you all there are hope that you will all continue to support Barkingside.

This is the first continental market to come to our high street and with your support we hope to see more.